# Research Progress on Construction Technology of 3D Human Skin Models and Its Application Prospects in Dermatology

**Authors:** Liping Li, Wenqi Si, Zhehu Jin, Wenyu Jin

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ijms27041808 · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2026-02-13

## TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in creating 3D human skin models and their potential for improving dermatology research and treatment.

## Contribution

The paper highlights novel integration of vascularization, skin appendages, and multi-omics data to enhance the realism of 3D skin models.

## Key findings

- Bioprinting, organoid, and organ-on-a-chip technologies are key in constructing realistic 3D skin models.
- Challenges like standardization and high costs hinder clinical translation of these models.
- Interdisciplinary approaches combining AI and multi-omics are needed for future progress.

## Abstract

Traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures and animal models often fail to replicate the complex layered structure and pathological microenvironment of human skin. This paper systematically reviews the latest advancements in three-dimensional (3D) human skin model construction, specifically focusing on bioprinting, organoid, and organ-on-a-chip technologies. Our analysis highlights that the integration of vascularization, skin appendages, and multi-omics data represents the core advancements in enhancing physiological realism for simulating. Despite these strides, challenges such as a lack of standardization and high medical costs remain as barriers to clinical translation. We conclude that future directions must leverage interdisciplinary synergy—integrating artificial intelligence and personalized multi-omics—will be essential to transition 3D skin models from laboratory tools to precise clinical applications.

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** FLG (filaggrin) [NCBI Gene 2312] {aka ATOD2, FLG-1, FLG1}, TNF (tumor necrosis factor) [NCBI Gene 7124] {aka DIF, IMD127, TNF-alpha, TNFA, TNFSF2, TNLG1F}, TLR2 (toll like receptor 2) [NCBI Gene 7097] {aka CD282, TIL4}, EGF (epidermal growth factor) [NCBI Gene 1950] {aka HOMG4, URG}, CDKN2A (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A) [NCBI Gene 1029] {aka ARF, CAI2, CDK4I, CDKN2, CMM2, INK4}, BRAF (B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase) [NCBI Gene 673] {aka B-RAF1, B-raf, BRAF-1, BRAF1, NS7, RAFB1}, MMP2 (matrix metallopeptidase 2) [NCBI Gene 4313] {aka CLG4, CLG4A, MMP-2, MMP-II, MONA, TBE-1}, GDF15 (growth differentiation factor 15) [NCBI Gene 9518] {aka GDF-15, HG, MIC-1, MIC1, NAG-1, PDF}, IL6 (interleukin 6) [NCBI Gene 3569] {aka BSF-2, BSF2, CDF, HGF, HSF, IFN-beta-2}, IL17A (interleukin 17A) [NCBI Gene 3605] {aka CTLA-8, CTLA8, IL-17, IL-17A, IL17, ILA17}, NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) [NCBI Gene 10135] {aka 1110035O14Rik, PBEF, PBEF1, VF, VISFATIN}, IL23A (interleukin 23 subunit alpha) [NCBI Gene 51561] {aka IL-23, IL-23A, IL23P19, P19, SGRF}, CD4 (CD4 molecule) [NCBI Gene 920] {aka CD4mut, IMD79, Leu-3, OKT4D, T4}
- **Diseases:** atrophy (MESH:D001284), A431 cancer (MESH:D009369), irritation (MESH:D001523), mitochondrial dysfunction (MESH:D028361), Inflammatory Skin Disease (MESH:D012871), skin injuries (MESH:D000069836), Melanoma (MESH:D008545), inflammation (MESH:D007249), injury to (MESH:D014947), burns (MESH:D002056), congenital disorders (MESH:D009358), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (MESH:D002294), Psoriasis (MESH:D011565), Burkholderia infection (MESH:D019121), psoriatic (MESH:D015535), Skin Tumor (MESH:D012878), cytotoxicity (MESH:D064420), wound infection (MESH:D014946), Skin Infection (MESH:D007239), colorectal cancer (MESH:D015179), skin defects (MESH:D012868), necrosis (MESH:D009336), AD (MESH:D003876), immune dysregulation (OMIM:614878), disorders of collagen (MESH:D003095)
- **Chemicals:** tofacitinib (MESH:C479163), streptomycin (MESH:D013307), vemurafenib (MESH:D000077484), agar (MESH:D000362), oxygen (MESH:D010100), SA (MESH:D000464), histamine (MESH:D006632), risankizumab (MESH:C000601773), hyaluronic acid (MESH:D006820), FK-866 (MESH:C480543), P40 (MESH:C070173), ascorbic acid (MESH:D001205), CTX (MESH:D000068818), dexamethasone (MESH:D003907), penicillin (MESH:D010406), mitomycin C (MESH:D016685), Pluronic F127 (MESH:D020442), doxorubicin (MESH:D004317), Gel-GMA (-), Olaparib (MESH:C531550), lipid (MESH:D008055), LPS (MESH:D008070), 2-ME (MESH:D000077584), PDMS (MESH:C013830)
- **Species:** Escherichia coli (E. coli, species) [taxon 562], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Staphylococcus aureus (species) [taxon 1280], Leptospira sp. AB (species) [taxon 103236], Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116], Burkholderia thailandensis (species) [taxon 57975], Bos taurus (bovine, species) [taxon 9913]
- **Cell lines:** HUVEC — Homo sapiens (Human), Finite cell line (CVCL_2959), TERT-1 — Homo sapiens (Human), Chronic myelogenous leukemia, BCR-ABL1 positive, Cancer cell line (CVCL_TR97), BJ — Homo sapiens (Human), Telomerase immortalized cell line (CVCL_6573), HEK — Homo sapiens (Human), Transformed cell line (CVCL_0045), HaCaT — Homo sapiens (Human), Spontaneously immortalized cell line (CVCL_0038), hTERT — Homo sapiens (Human), Transformed cell line (CVCL_E232), FT — Homo sapiens (Human), Induced pluripotent stem cell (CVCL_E008), A431 — Homo sapiens (Human), Skin squamous cell carcinoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0037), N/ — Homo sapiens (Human), Finite cell line (CVCL_UZ57), A375 — Homo sapiens (Human), Amelanotic melanoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0132), SK-MEL-28 — Homo sapiens (Human), Cutaneous melanoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0526)

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12940836/full.md

## References

108 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12940836/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12940836